Re: Northeastern Huskies 2011-2012 Season Thread: Year of the Mad Dog
I actually thought NU should be picked above UVM and UMass. I think Merrimack will finish above Maine and possibly UNH. I think NU is good and would have been really competitive without the early departures and de-commitments. However, to say NU should win unless the MC goalie stands on his head is a little outrageous considering MC's home record over the past few years and the pre-season prognostications of both teams.
To much was made about the de-commitments. WAY to much. One kid MIGHT have been an impact player this year, and he is on bc now. Why do i say might? Because JG has been blessed the last two years to be surrounded by some amazing talent. First a former college NC winner and a possible soon to be first round NHL draft pick (and UVM recruit) when he played in the USHL, and now with his linemates at BC. Not saying the kid is not talented, but I am not sure he would be having the same impact at NU, a lot of it also due to style of play.
As for the dman we lost, he seemed to think quite highly of himself and the best he could land after us was Western Michigan after turning down UML. He was replaced by a kid who drafted way in front of him, thus no loss there.
NU still landed another forward who looks like a good one in Manno (a former UMASS recruit), and two other forwards who look like they will play big roles for NU over their careers here.
The NU freshmen class in the end was not decimated by the departure of JG or the dman who went to Western Michigan.
Losing Jamie on the blue line hurt, no one will deny that. Losing Brodie up front, we can totally live with as his offense can be replaced pretty easily and NU is wicked deep at forward, probably the deepest they have been the last 15 years.
Merrimack is a nice team. Great goaltending, defense willing to sacrifice it's body to block shots. I think NU is deeper up front, can roll 4 lines that have offensive threats on them, and the NU defense can handle the rugged style that Merrimack forwards want to play.
NU can handle Merrimack as long as they are not looking past them to Saturday's game.